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90 kg of charas seized near Shamlaji

AHMEDABAD: Working on a specific intelligence input, Ahmedabad zonal office of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 90 kg of charas (hashish) from a truck carrying apples near Shamlaji checkpost on Sunday night.

The consignment was concealed in cavities made in the driver's cabin, said investigators.

According to NCB officials, they had the Jammu and Kashmir-Gujarat route in mind as a route to smuggle the contraband. However, till date seizures were made from smaller vehicles such as cars and light loading vehicles.

"Under the new modus operandi, suppliers have started using trucks. The contraband is hidden among legitimate goods being carried to the southern parts of the country. Here, when we checked the truck, we found crates of Kashmiri apples stuffed in the carrier. But, when the driver's cabin was checked, we found 30 packets containing the charas. The driver and cleaner of the truck have been arrested in the case," said Ayush Mani Tiwari, zonal director of NCB.

He added that it is the biggest known seizure of charas by any security agency in 2009. International price of the contraband is considered to be Rs 1 lakh per kg.

The arrested include Abdul Rashid Khan and Imtiyaz Khan, both natives of Baramulla near Srinagar. In the subsequent questioning, the duo told investigators that the stock was meant for two receivers based in Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

"We have tightened the noose around the drug trade in the state. The suppliers took a calculated risk in sending such a big consignment to the state. The apples were meant for a Mumbai-based consignee. The plan was to deliver charas on the outskirts of the city and then proceed towards Mumbai. However, they were spotted and identified by a team," said an NCB official.